Disclaimer: I don't own it and, if my horoscope is correct, never will.
A/N: this story was inspired by an email I was sent.
Let's Dance
BY: FJ
Dear Mrs. Belltower:
In just over a week, you will be my son's primary school teacher, grade one. He is ever so excited to be under your tutelage. Why, since the last day of kindergarten, entering your class was all he could talk about. He gleefully thrust a piece of paper into my hand on that June afternoon, and said, "Here's a list of the stuff I need for school next September!"
And I have to admit, I, too, was excited. I'm a school supplies geek from way back. And so, in early August, I set out to buy the items you'd listed.
It was on my fourth store that the realization began to sink in.
You're a crafty bitch, aren't you?
This list was a thinly disguised test. Could I find the items, exactly as you'd prescribed? Because if not, my son would be That Kid, the one with the Problem Mother, Who Can't Follow Directions.
For example, the glue sticks you requested. In the 40 gram size. Three of the little ****. (What kind of massive, sticky project you've got planned for the first day of school that would require the students to bring all this glue, I cannot imagine.) But the 40 gram size doesn't come in a convenient 3-pack. The '30' gram size does. But clearly, those would be wildly inappropriate. So I got the individually priced 40's, as per your instructions.
Another bit of fun was your request for 2 packs of 8 Crayola crayons (basic colors). The 24 packs, with their 24 'different' colors, sat there, on sale. I could have purchased '3' of the 24 packs for the price I had to pay for the 8 packs. (Clearly, you will not be teaching the youngsters any sort of economics lessons this year.) Even the cashier looked at me, as if to say, "Pardon me, ma'am, but are you slow?" as I purchased these non-bargain crayons. But that's what the list said. And I was committed to following the list.
But eh last item, well, now, you saved your malice up for that one, didn't you? "8mm ruled notebooks", you asked for. Simple enough. Except the standard size is '7' millimeters. One. Millimeter. Difference. Do you realize, Mrs. Belltower, exactly how infinitesimal the difference between 7 mm ruling and 8mm ruling is? Pretty small, I assure you. The thickness of a fingernail, approximately. But that millimeter, that small bit of nothingness, made me drive to four different stores, over the course of three sweaty August hours. And when I finally, finally found the last remaining 8 mm notebooks, I took no pleasure in my victory. I merely shifted my focus. To you, Mrs. Belltower.
You want to dance, lady? Let's dance.
Because I am just bats hit crazy enough to play your games. And, in turn, come up with some of my own.
On show and share day, my son will be bringing our family pensieve with only one memory, that of his birth, one which he will tell you is called "Hugo's First Puppy." Enjoy.
He will be given a list of words, and daily, he will ask you what they mean. Words such as, "pedophile", "anti-semite", and "fuck". good luck with those.
At some point, you will attempt to teach him mathematics. And I'm quite sure that, like most of your ilk, you will require my son to "show his work. And he will.
Through interpretive dance.
Because that is who you've chosen to tangle with, toots. A stay at home mom who is not entirely balanced, and has altogether too much time no her hands. But is, most certainly, A Mother Who Can Follow Directions.
Sincerely,
Hermione